Choose a simple force model
Represent each piece with a clear plus or minus mark, and decide whether equal poles repel while opposite poles attract. Avoid realistic but hard-to-read field calculations in the opening level. A grid step or a short, predictable slide after each pulse makes the movement easier to understand than an object that accelerates unpredictably across the screen.
Paste-ready concept prompt
Original concept prompt: “Create a single-player magnet puzzle on a small grid. The player can tap one fixed magnet to switch its polarity between plus and minus, then press Pulse to move two marked metal pieces one cell according to their visible attraction or repulsion rule. The goal is to guide the blue piece onto a matching goal tile without pushing the orange piece into a hazard. A hazard collision ends the attempt. Show arrows for the next pulse before it happens, and provide Restart to restore both pieces and the starting polarity. Start with one movable piece in the tutorial, then add the second piece.” The concept remains proposed until a generated version has been tested.
Test every state, not just the winning path
Run one test with opposite poles and one with matching poles. Check that the preview arrow and movement agree, that a blocked cell prevents a move instead of teleporting a piece, and that switching polarity does not also trigger an unrequested pulse. Deliberately push the orange piece into the hazard to test the stated failure and restart behavior.
If players cannot infer the force, add a brief visual cue or a one-step preview before increasing puzzle difficulty. Keep physics stylized and consistent; the test is whether the rule can be predicted and used, not whether the animation resembles a real magnetic field.
Questions about magnet puzzle game prompt
Should magnetic pieces move continuously?
A continuous slide can look appealing, but it may obscure which force caused a collision. Begin with discrete moves or a short capped slide, then test whether players can predict the result.
How can the game explain polarity quickly?
Use both distinct symbols and consistent colors, then show one forced example before the player can fail. Test muted color perception by checking whether the symbols alone communicate the rule.